Self contained vapor engine



Dec. 19, 1933. E. F. KNOWLES SELF CONTAINED VAPOR ENGINE Filed Feb. 20. 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 19, 1933. E, KNOWLES 1,939,783

SELF CONTAINED VAPOR ENGINE Filed Feb. 20. 1931 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 19, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE The present invention has relation to vapor generating engines in which the vapor is intermittently generated coordinate with the action of the valve for operating the cylinder. In the present instance, I have shown my invention as applied to the reciprocating type of steam engines, however it will be understood that the principle could be applied to rotary and other forms of engines wherein compression by vapor is used for motive power. I In the present instance characteristic ieatures of the. invention are; first, a steam generating drum attached directly to the steam chest of a reciprocating steam engine, the steam being generated at each intake opening of the engine valve; second, a heating" element carried within said generating drum whereby the water is instantly turned 'intosuperheated steam at each stroke of the engine piston; third, means whereby control gofof the water forv generating steam, will be auto matically governed according to the power required of the engine; and fourth, means, including a thermostat communicating with the steam generator, whereby heat for operating the heating element will, be governed according to the heat required.

The main object of the present invention, is to provide a device of the nature'thatwill be very simple, or self contained, eiiicacious in operation, and one that will require no especial furnace and boiler attendant, these and other objects and advantages, will hereinafter, be readily comprehended by an ordinary artisan, and by those famijliar with steam engineering in particular.

In the drawings forming a part of the present specifications, s I

Fig. 1 represents my improved type of vapor producing, apparatus applied to a reciprocating steam engine, the engine being in side view. 7

' Fig. 2 is'a' plan view of Fig. l. S

Fig. 3 is a rear end view of thevapor generating drum, as positioned on the steam chest of the engine. 2

Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal. section of the on the line water supplying dropper, for the steam generating Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail side view of the thermostat'operated electrical control lever,-and

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the same.

In the drawings, like marks of reference refer to corresponding, or equivalent parts throughout inder 2, and is secured by cap screws 3, to said drum, in acustomary manner. I

Within the drum, a concentrically amxed heat .60. the drawings, in which, A, as a whole, represents generating chamber D, is placed. As shown, this chamber is annularly corrugated for the purpose of affording'contraction'and expansion from heat produced therein, and from intermittent dropping of water thereon, for generating steam. For

heating the chamber, in this instance, I have shown carbons 5 entering through the drum and into the heat producing chamber from diametrically opposites, the same being suppliedby electrical current by wires 6, operating from-a dynamo, or other electrical source. of supply. The carbons afford arcs of fiame'in a customary manner. It will be understood, that in lieu of electrically flaming carbons, that resistance coils, or flame produced by gas, or other means couldanswer for the purpose.

Upon the top of the generating vapor drum B, a water gun '7, is placed for dropping water upon a center portion of the heat producing chamber D. Steam generated in the said drum, passes into the steam chest 1 through a port opening 8. In passing the steam directly from the generating drum to the steam chest, loss of energy is conserved, owing to condensation being eliminated, so likewise, steam is conserved by not carrying the same through piping, the latter of which not only forms a chamberin which expension and compression may take place, but also, being exposed to air conditions, superheating of the steam is greatly lessened.

The water dropping gun 7 carries a reciprocat ing plunger 9 operated from a variable governor 10 on the engine shaft 11. As shown, the plunger has a transverse hole 12, through its rear-extremity. The size of this hole is regulated by means of a screw 13, screw-threaded intothe end of 'the plunger so as to enter the hole 12, and which by turning thescrew said hole may be increased or diminished in capacity, as desired. This gun by which the screw l3, of the plunger may be -The plunger of I w I means of a lever23 operativeon a .pintle 24 at gun will be directed on a central upper lineof the heat generating chamber D, and'in close proximity to the flame produced by the carbons in the heating chamber. f

Opening into the small chamber to. the rear of the plunger of the gun '7, a s1- all vent hole" 19 is located, to avoid a vacuum. V

Near the inner end of the gun a water, inlet pipe 20 is screw-threaded into a boss 21. This pipe is provided with a customary valve, or stop The action of the plunger 9, issuch that when water from the pipe 20 is to be vsuppliedto the pocket or hole 12, said hole is in alignment'with the opening. through said-pipe, as shown in Fig. 4.x When said charge of water is to be dropped into the drip pipe 17, said plunger is moved toward the drip pipe until the hole 12, is directly over the opening-through said drip pipe, as shown in ,Fig. 5, from whence it-drops directly upon the heating chamber.

the gun is reciprocated by the outer end of a bracket 25,,attached to the head of the vapor generating drum B. The low-V er end of the 'lever is connected at its outer -.extremity of a connecting rod 26, of;.a governor eccentric, 2'7. 1.The upper end of the lever, is

formed-with a head'having an arc-shaped slot 28, through which a smallpin29 projects from the plunger extremity. The arrangement of the slot in relation to the pin 29, issuch, that when motion from the engine is ,runningwitha maximum'of speed, the gunwilldrip water into the generator, but when below speed the pin 29 will simply ride in the slot 28, without affecting the plunger 9. r

p The governor has the usual eccentric, and

about the same is the customary strap, and the variation of the thrust of the rod is governed by the springs which control the weights 10, in the usual manner. And from the governor, the amount of water in the piston 9, is controlled.

This governor is of the usual rotating ball type having the customaryvertical operating control I I stem as shown. I

Attached at the rear head of the vapor generating drum, a heat regulated thermostat 31, is

aflixed; This thermostat isamenable to fluctuations of heat produced by the vapor generating drum, and is for the purpose of regulating elec gtric' current for causing the carbons 6 to flame in the heat'generatingcharnber D.

Extending from'below the drum, is a bracket 32 throughwhich a'pintle; .33 supportsa'lever 34 having an 'arcuate insulated upper end.. This lever has an offset35 engaging withthe thermostat, and is amenable to oscillation, from shrinkingand expansion of said thermostat. The head of this-lever carries a contact plate 37 which'is insulated from the lever head, and the bracket 36 on itsunder side carriesan inverted insulator shoe '38 through the upper portion of the-bracket "and shoe; two'spool insulators39 project, the

of the spools. f In the mechanism shown, threadedflan'ges 42 and 43 are directly attached I heads of which seat on the upper portion of the bracket.

Through each of the spool insulators, the ends of the electrical conducting wires 6, are fitted. The ends of these wires are adapted to contact with the inlaid plate 37, when electrical current is carried to the heating carbons 5. Should the heatof the drum rise above a predetermined temperature, the thermostat 31, would cause the lever 34, to move on its pivot and break the contact of the plate 37 at one end with the end of one of the electrical conducting wires 6, and 7 reduce the heat of the heat conducting chamber plate 37 to draw beyond the same wire, would causea similaroccurrence. Electrical current is supplied to the carbons 5, only when both wires 6 are in contact with said plate.

In the drawingsI have shown two sets of heating elements, in the form of electricallyheated carbons, it'will be understood however, that one or more heatingelements could be used as the xexigency of the case might require. As shown,

the carbons 5 enter the heat producing chamber 11' "A reverse or reacting movement of the thermostat, especially to the extent of causing'the through internally grooved. spool insulators 4i).

Thegroovesare formed for purposes of ventilation, between longitudinal ribs '41 on the interior internally screwto both of theouter f surfaces of the heating chamber'and vapor generating drum at coincident oppositely disposed positions. Screwthreadedffrom the outer flanges 43 into the flanges 42, screw threaded thimbles 44 are. fitted, and-seated within these'open ended thimbles the carbon spool insulators 40, are seated.

In carrying out myflinvention, I am aware that certain modifications could be resorted to, with out departingfrom the intent and spirit of what I have herein illustratedand set forth, and I reserve the right to arrange' and construct the various elements thatenter into my invention,

as compatible with what I claim as newand desire to secure byLetters Patent:-

1. In amechanism as'herein'set forth, thesame comprising a vapor generatingdrum, a heating chamber WhOllY EIlClOSQd within said vapor generating drum, a water gun operable on the top of said vapor generating drumwa water dropping pipe leading from said gun into said vapor generating. drumand in close proximity to the top of said heating chamber, a water supply pipe leading to said gun, an exit opening from said vapor generating drum, and means for automatically controlling the water fromsaid gun .into

said vapor generating drum coordinate with means for controllingheat to said heating Chaim- 135 1 2; In a mechanism as herein, set forth, the same comprising a heating chamber, a vapor generating drumlwholly enclosing said heating chamber, 1 an exit opening from said vapor generating drum,

a water intake pipe, a water gun connected with said water intakepipe onjthe top of said vapor generatingdrum,-awater dropping pipe leading V from said gun into said vapor generating drum in close'proxirnity to, the top of said heating chamfber, a thermostat attached to said vapor generating drum and amenable to heatfrom said drum, 1

means operable fromsaid thermostat for controlling'lieat'tos'aid heating chamber, and means for controlling water from" said gun into 5m vapor generating drum and onto said heating chamber.

3. In a mechanism as herein set forth, the same comprising a cylindrical vapor generating drum, a heating chamber wholly enclosed within said vapor generating drum, said vapor generating drum having an exit opening and a water inlet pipe leading from its exterior in close proximity to the top of said heating chamber, means for controlling water leading through said water inlet pipe, said heating chamber being connected to said vapor generating drum by longitudinally disposed oppositely arranged hollow open ended thimbles leading from the exterior of said vapor generating drum into said heating chamber, said thimbles being hermetically sealed ing both an exit opening and a water intake pipe, 7

a heating chamber wholly carried within said drum and spaced therefrom on all portions, said heating chamber having annular convolutions,

supporting members having central longitudinal openings therethrough leading from the exterior of said vaporgenerating drum, into said heating chamber in oppositely disposed positions in horizontal alignment and I longitudinally thereof, means to heat said chamber through the openings through said supporting members, and means to intermittently pass water through said water intake pipe. p

5. In a mechanism as herein set forth, comprising a vapor generating drum, a concentrically disposed heating chamber suspended within said drum, an exit opening to said drum and a vapor producing intake pipe leading into said drum, screw-threaded flanges attached to both said drum and heating chamber at diametrically opposite points on the outer surfaces of both said drum and chamber, centrally open ended exteriorly screw-threaded thimbles connecting opposite flanges, spool insulators having longitudinal openings extending through said thimbles, carbons extending from the exterior through said insulators and into said heating chamber, electrical conducting wires attached at the outer ends of said carbons, and an electrical source of supply for feeding said wires.

ELMER F. KNOWLES. 

